With Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and graduations of all sorts — May is one big month for shopping.
While some gifts for May’s big events were probably best purchased in March and April (jewelry and luggage, for example), you can still find ways to save on gifts for important occasions this month … and also get a few affordable items for yourself.
Data from consumer website DealNews shows that jewelry prices increase at the beginning of May, so if you are shopping for affordable Mother's Day gifts, avoid the more traditional items. Consider spring clothing and home goods instead. Another option would be gift cards and special spa deals or getaways, says Brent Shelton, spokesman for FatWallet.
For graduates, gifts such as cookware or other kitchen accessories, small electronics and clothing will give you the best value for the money.
As always, shopping off-season is the best time to get great discounts on clothing. With summer on the way, retailers are now clearing out items from spring. Look for discounts of 50 percent or more and get even greater reductions by stacking coupons.
Memorial Day sales and coupons promise to be some of the year’s best since January, say DealNews editors. Categories such as apparel and items for the home will have big holiday markdowns. Department stores and specialty stores that offer strong couponing throughout the year will have plenty of special holiday promotions in addition to markdowns that will help you save even more.
Mattresses and large appliances also will carry good discounts during Memorial Day sales; just be sure to do price comparisons for more substantial purchases.
May is also a good time to look for last-minute specials on summer travel, Shelton says, as well as garden and outdoor items such as plants, outdoor decor and more. You may want to consider these kinds of items for Mother’s Day gifts as well.
One thing you definitely should not buy in May is Apple products, say DealNews editors. Apple holds its Worldwide Developers Conference June 2-6, which could mark the debut of new MacBook products and other devices. If you do want Apple products, the editors note that prices have been dropping much faster than in the past. An Apple product that comes out in June, for example, could see a price reduction of 20 percent off within two months.
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